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‘A couple of waitresses reopened a legend’
June 16, 2023
HORTONVILLE – When life gives you a nutrition shop – along with the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues – of course, you turn it into an axe throwing shop.
That is exactly what Scott Sawinski, owner of Timber Axe Throwing Bar, decided to do.
Sawinski said running an axe-throwing establishment started out as a hobby in conjunction with his former nutrition shop, Surge Nutrition.
This year, due in part to the success the makeshift location had, he said he decided to expand – and the Timber Axe Throwing Bar was born.
From hobby to business
Like many other business ideas sparked by individual interest, Sawinski said his axe throwing hobby transitioned from joking around to serious reality pretty quickly.
Though the concept itself got off the ground relatively quickly inside the nutrition shop (located at 315 E. Main St. in Hortonville), Sawinski said the move to a full-blown axe throwing bar took a bit more time to develop.
At first, the axe throwing space was by reservation only – as Sawinski and his partner Shawn Gocke tested different build-outs and markets.
However, after continued success with the axe throwing business and the ending of the nutrition shop’s lease – Sawinski said they decided to expand the axe throwing bar concept to a larger space.
The new location – 53 E. Main St. Suite D – sits right next to R & B Roofing, Fox Cities Embroidery and Subway.
Describing it as an “adult playground,” Sawinski said it has pool tables, dartboards, cornhole toss and of course, axe throwing.
With bar in its name – you guessed it – the space also includes a full bar.
Recognizing the growing axe throwing market in the Green Bay, Appleton and Oshkosh areas, Sawinski said they saw a need for a location in Hortonville.
He said Timber Axe Throwing Bar aims to provide patrons with activity options in the Hortonville area.
“The goal is to work in collaboration with bar and restaurant owners in the area to create things like axe leagues,” he said.
well-lit, fun and unique environment.
He said they’ve received quite a bit of interest in axe throwing leagues, which will be created this fall.
//17bec5072710cda5b8dd81b69f4c6e58.cdn.bubble.io/f1686941386928x912037530168279400/richtext_content.webpTimber Axe has six axe throwing lanes. Submitted Photo
Currently, Sawinski said the space has six axe throwing lanes, as well as other areas available for private parties – such as team building outings, entertaining clients, group outings and bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Sawinksi said Timber Axe Throwing Bar doesn’t have a typical bar atmosphere – but is rather a well-lit, fun and unique environment.
The axe throwing market
Sawinski said he believes the market is growing, especially in the Northeast Wisconsin area.
“This piggybacks off the World Axe Throwing League Championships that happened in Appleton in December 2022, and the forthcoming championship coming back to Appleton in November 2023,” he said.
Sawinski said the Timber Axe Throwing Bar is already seeing repeat business.
“We’ll have groups come out one time, and the next time they have others with them,” he said.
Sawinski said he thinks people naturally gravitate toward axe throwing because it’s different.
“No matter your skill level, you’re going to be a better axe thrower by the end of your visit,” he said.
As far as the patrons themselves, Sawinski said it’s about a 50-50 split between men and women, though he said he is seeing more female groups coming in for bridal showers or bachelorette parties.
Axe throwing, Sawinski said, isn’t just for adults.
Timber Axe Throwing Bar is open to anyone above the age of 12 – a good fit for family bonding time.
The location
The location, Sawinski said, was a prime choice for Timber Axe.
“With the new Highway 15 bypass project that’s being done, this will cut down on the drive-through traffic that promotes Hortonville as a destination spot,” he said. “This will allow an opportunity for businesses to promote a less crowded, yet bustling downtown that is safe to walk in, drive in and mainly stop in.”
No stranger to the business sector in the Greater Hortonville area, Sawinski, the executive director of the Fox West Chamber of Commerce, said “we want people to stay and play in Hortonville.”
Sawinski said he’s received positive support from fellow Hortonville businesses – which he said will no doubt allow for continued future growth.
Given the short period of time Timber Axe has been open, future growth may still be somewhat on the horizon, but Sawinski said one thing is for sure, “it’s developing as a venue with a small town.”
“Having the collaboration with other bars and restaurants in the area and having a lot of people coming from the farther west cities, such as Clintonville, New London and Marion, shows they can eat and play in the same community,” he said.
Sawinski said what truly makes Timber Axe unique is they’re not locked into a franchise, so they have a lot of creativity and flexibility in how they can operate – allowing them to cater and tailor the experience to what customers want and need.
“Tailoring the experience to the individual is what will help us continue to grow into the future,” he said.
Also, because Timber Axe doesn’t serve food, Sawinski said customers have the option to bring in outside catering services – which in turn helps business-to-business collaboration.
Timber Axe Throwing Bar is open from 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with availability for private parties throughout the week.
The space will have open throwing times on Sundays beginning this fall.
For more information, visit Timber Axe Throwing Bar’s Facebook page or reach out through email to witimberaxethrowing@gmail.com.
